The Moving picture world (January 1920-February 1920)

934 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD February 7, 1920' Fox Plans Revival of Six De Luxe Specia Is, ' 'Made ' * Box Office Cards No, This Isn't the Murder A "shot" from Marion Davies' Cosmopolitan-Artcraft, "The Cinema Murder." Theatre Near Columbus Circle. The property fronting on Eighth Avenue, between Forty-fourth and Fortyfifth streets. New York, has been leased from the Astor estate by Edward Margolis, who has been concerned in building several theatres in the Times Square district. The property leased by Margolis is four blocks south of Columbus Circle, where the Park Theatre is situated. Plans have been drawn for a theatre building, but whether the new house will be devoted to "movies" or the drama is not stated. The neighborhood immediately surrounding the property is densely settled with rooming houses and apartment buildings. Subway stations are near and three surface lines are accessible, together with "L" roads handy. But the theatre will never fall in the "Times Square" class. Theatre Magazine Twenty Years Old. The Theatre Magazine will celebrate its twentieth birthday on May 1. The publishers, Louis and Paul Meyer, who founded the publication, will celebrate their twenty years of successful publication by the introduction of an innovation in the style and contents of their May issue, principally in so far as it will contain a history of the stage since 1900; several hundred full page portraits of the most noted stars of the stage and screen, in beautiful colors and duotone rotagravure and biographies of those representatives of the amusement world. Death of Mrs. Schlesinger. Mrs. Sophia Schlesinger, mother of Gus Schlesinger, general sales manager of the Inter-Ocean Film Corporation, died on January 20 at her home. 530 Riverside avenue, New York. Mrs. Schlesinger was in her eightieth year. The interment was in Philadelphia, following funeral services at her late residence. Mr. Schlesinger has been the recipient of messages of condolence from his host of friends, within the motion picture industry as well as out of it. WITH every accessory, all paper, press sheets and other exploitatation aids prepared and ready for distribution, William Fox announces that Fox Film Corporation is planning a monster revival of six big special productions which have been found surpassingly popular as box-oflfice drawing cards throughout the world. These six de luxe specials comprise "Les Miserables," "Salome," "The Honor System," "A Tale of Two Cities," "Cleopatra" and "A Daughter of the Gods." Nothing whatever has been said about this move of the producer until the present time. Now it is learned from the Fox executive offices that a sufficient number of these prints, renovated and absolutely the same in every respect as when first introduced to the screen, is on hand to cover the entire country. The reason given for reviving these big special Fox successes is that exhibitors in all parts of the world have reported them to possess such unusual drawing power as to justify their periodical use, on the same plan by which the speaking stage revives its acknowledged successes. Release in February. In bringing out these revivals, Mr. Fox has caused to be published a complete and efficient press sheet for each production, designed on the most up-tothe-minute lines and prepared to aid the busiest theatre man in his advertising and exploitation. There is a profusion of splendid cuts, mats, ad copies and stunt suggestions and a powerful array of paper. With everything new — prints, paper, accessories and suggestions — the entire Fox organization is clearing its decks for action. A big national campaign will take in every Fox exchange in North America. February is the month in which William Fox will release these specials. Reports from the nearby Fox exchanges, including the New York exchange, which, incidentally, is enlarging its quarters in the building at 130 West Forty-sixth street, indicate a market eager for these revivals. Many metropolitan exhibitors and suburban theatre men have closed with the exchange for February showings, and each day shows new business listed against one or the other of the six big pictures. Build Elaborate Set for Eugene O'Brien's Production ONE of the largest and most elaborate interior sets ever constructed for pictures is now being built at the Selznick Fort Lee studio for the interior scenes of Eugene O'Brien's new picture, 'A Fool and His Money." The set requires three fourths of the studio floor space, and includes the great hall and library of an ancient feudal castle of the Swiss Tyrols. The effect of age is secured in the plaster, stained to represent mould. In the hall, which is of stone, the fireplace stands well over seven feet square. The entire hall is a perfect setting for boar's head feasts and yule log celebrations. In the library fine old pieces of furniture, tall throne-like chairs and armor make an interesting and authentic reproduction of a castle of old times. Piquant contrast is afforded by the fact that the production is a delightful modern comedy-drama. The picture is based on a book by George Barr McCutcheon. Rubye De Remer plays the role of Countess Aline. The picture isbeing directed by Robert Ellis. "Alma, Where Do You Live?" Directed by Hal Clarendon THE Monopol feature, ".-\lma, Where Do You Live?" which is being presented as a novel production, with a song revue of numbers from the original stage version, is attaining success throughout the territory handling it and registering both because of the novelty and quality of the production, according to a statement from the Monopol Pictures Company. This picture featuring Ruth McTammany and George Larkin, was directed by Hal Clarendon, who, born of theatrical parents started his dramatic career as a child actor with "May Blossoms," at the old Madison Square Theatre in New York. Later he gained popularity in stock, and then joined Famous Players, apearing in a number of features, including "Marta of the Lowlands," "One of the Girls" and "David Harum." Next, Mr. Clarendon joined Thanhouser as a director and afterwards started as an independent producer, making "The Girl from Rectors," "One Day," "Will You Marry Me?" and "Alma, Where Do You Live?" Pallette in Model Husband Role. Eugene Pallette will be Viola Dana's leading man in "Parlor, Bedroom and Bath," her Metro-Screen Classic picture following "Eliza Comes to Stay." Mr. Pallette is at present enacting "Red" Jocelyn in "Alias Jimmy Valentine," Bert Lytell's picturization of Paul Armstrong's play. Eugene Pallette was May Allison's leading man in "Fair and Warmer," playing Billy, the model husband. In "Parlor, Bedroom and Bath" he will have the role of Reggie,. also a model husband. Loew Circuit Books "High Speed." "High Speed," Hallmark Pictures Corporation's January 17 release on the Famous Director Series, has been booked over the Loew circuit of theatres in greater New York. Last week it showed at Loew's New York Theatre and, according to the criticisms, represents one of the best productions on this series. Gladys Hulette and Edward Earle are co-stars. American Buys More Novels. S. S. Hutchinson, president of the American Film Company, Inc., announces the purchase of three novels for future screen adaptation : "The Blue Moon,*" by David Anderson; "The House of Toys," by Henry Miller, published by Bobbs-Merrill Company, and "Their Mutual Child," by P. G. Wodehouse, published by Boni & Livewright.